Tube closing machine



jan. Q, i937. C, J. wEsTlN 2,068,615

TUBE CLOS ING MACHINE jan, i9, i937. C J, WEsTlN 2,068,615

TUBE CLOSING MACHINE Fi'led June 2l, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @MM @5mg/CM .Ham E9, 1937. c. J. wEsTlN TUBE `CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 2l, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 K wrm/fol? Jan., 19, 3193?., c. .1. wEsTlN 2,068,615

TUBE CLOSING MACHINE Filed June 21, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 l: Y I /3/ /i//T/VESS.'

Patented Jan. 19, 193'? UNlTEB Sii'l PATENT OFFEQE Application .lune 2l, 1933, Serial No. 676,911

l5 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machinery used for the closing and sealing of the open end of collapsible tubes, and more particularly to the novel construction of the tube- 5 holders or tube-cups; the method and mechanism used in preforming the open end of the tube; the method and mechanism used for closing and folding the open end of the tube; the method and means used in crimping and sealing the fold of the closure or seam; and in other features which win be more apparent from the subjoined description.

The machine here shown and described is one of the general type of tube closing and sealing machines and it is used only for the purpose of illustrating and describing the principles of the new and useful improvements included in my invention. The principles embodied in my invention can be used to advantage in any type of tube closing and sealing machine. It should also be understood that the mechanism shown may be used as a separate complete machine for closing and sealing tubes but usually it forms only a part or attachment of a more complicated but complete machine embodying means for conveying, lling, preforming, closing, crimping and ejecting.

The purpose of my invention is to provide means for producing a closed tube which will hold a volume of the maximum amount of material possible for a given size of tube. To this end I provide a new and novel form of tubeholder or tube-cup which supports the tube practically throughout its entire length and thereby, keeping the tube-body in its circular form practically without any change all the way to the end of the tube, where only a very short portion of taper is allowed for the necessary length of at part of the tube walls, to form the required number of folds in closing it.

The invention also includes a new type of preformer which is necessary in order to start the proper forming of the flat portion at the end of the tube.

Another new and novel feature is the relieved type of closing jaws. Through this novel construction the air, trapped within the tube in making the fold, is permitted lto escape. In the old devices the air is compressed within the tube and, after the pressure of the closing jaws is removed, again expands and opens the fold, causing defective tubes.

The crimping jaws on this type o1" machine are provided with a new type of insert or punches. The type of tube closure produced by these new crimping punches is described and claimed in my co-pending application for a patent Serial No. 641,553, iled November 7, 1932.

The type of tube closure and the saving effected by the use of this new and novel invention are described and claimed in my co-pending application for Letters Patent on Improvements in collapsible tubes, illed June 21, 1933, Serial No. 676,912.

Heretofore, it has been the practice to make 10 the tube cups only sufficiently high to provide a recess or seat in the cupof a depth equal to the diameter of the tube. This recess had a straight portion which was made close-fitting for about one-quarter of the depth from the bottom of the lrecess. The straight part only had a clearance of a few thousandths of an inch over the maximum outside diameter of the tube. The remaining three-quarters of the recess towards the top of the cup always had to be machined either bell shaped or with grooves milled in the sides at an angle of three to six degrees tapering from the bottom up. Without this bell shape or tapered grooves, dents or wrinkles would form in the body of the tube, which dents were objectionable and caused rejected tubes. The dents, of course, were caused by the spreading of the tube. 'Ihe close nt in the straight part of the recess was relied on to hold the tube rigid in a perpendicular position. It is evident that for this reason the outside diameter of the tube had to be kept within very narrow limits. If the tubes were of a maximum outside diameter, difficulties were experienced in placing them in the cups and pressing them down to a proper seat on the shoulder forming the bottom of the recess. On the other hand, when a tube of the minimum diameter was placed in the cup, it would naturally be a rather loose iit and wobble when the conveying means were indexing from one station 40 to another. The wobbling caused the tubes to lean over and the results would be uneven folds or badly closed tubes.

By my invention the above diiiiculties are entirely eliminated. The tube cups are made in proportion to the length of the tube and support the tubes close up to the fold. The tubes being supported practically throughout their entire length do not have to be held rigid in the cups as previously was necessary, but a clearance as large as inch is permissible for a one inch diameter tube, this clearance being less for smaller tubes and larger for tubes of larger diameters.

For a further exposition of my invention ref- 55 erence may be had to the annexed specification and drawings at the end of which my invention will be specifically pointed out and claimed.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine with parts broken away.

Fig. 2 is a detail view in horizontal cross section on line 2-2 of Figi. 1.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are detail views with parts in vertical cross section of the tube folding and closing mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a front or face View with parts broken away of a tube-cup and a preformer.

Fig. 7 is a partial side view with parts in Vertical cross section.

Figi. 8 is a top or plan view of a tube-cup.

Fig. 9 is a front or face view with parts broken away of a modified form of tube-cup.

Fig. 10 is a side view of the modified form of tube-cup shown in Fig. 9, and

Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are respectively side, top and face views of crimping jaw inserts.

As seen in the drawings and especially in Fig. l, my machine consists of an idling pulley l which may be connected to any suitable source of power. Pulley 2 is fast on shaft 3 by means of which it drives gears and 5. Gear 5 carries a pin 6 thereon which cooperates with the slots in a star or Geneva wheel l which is connected to shaft 8 and thereby drives dial l0 through gears 9.

Dial l! has, as is best seen in Fig. 2, a plurality of openings i i therein. Openings Ill are adapted to receive tube-cups l2 therein.

One modification of tube-cups l2 is shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 wherein it is seen that the tubecup l2 is provided with a key I3 adapted to i'lt into the outer edges or slots Ill of the openings ll. Tube-cup l2 has a body extended in a pipe Id which. terminates in the top portions, arcuate points or prongs l5 which form arcuate points between the sides of the cup which are beveled 01T as seen at i6. This bevel must be at an angle so as not to interfere with the preforming of the tube A. It should, however, be noted that the arcuate point or prong l5 must be made of a width in proportion to the diameter of the tube A in order to produce a uniform arcuate B in the tube. The front of the tube-cup l2 may be cut away as shown at H5 so that the operator placing a tube in the cup may be able to observe the panel of printed matter C on the tube (as seen in Figs. 9 and 10) and turn the tube so that the panel will be in proper alignment with the fold of the closed tube. The inside diameter of the pipe extension lil is made with a considerably larger amount of clearance than formerly was possible, lsinch being the proper clearance for a tube of one inch diameter. The shoulder Il on vwhich the breast portion of tube A rests is bored out large enough to form an opening I8 so that the cap D will not touch the sides ofv opening I8. Through opening I8 the ejector or tube lift-out i9 enters and lifts the tube A up high enough to allow it to fall over on its side and slide down the chute 20 onto the discharge conveyor, see Fig. 2. Tube-cup l2 may have the upper end notched or scooped out at 2l between the low portions I6 and the high portions l5 on the end of the tube-cup. This is to provide space for the corners formed in tube A during the flattening and closing operations.

In Figs. 9 and 10 there is shown a modified type of tube-cup or a telescopic tube-cup. The body part 22 of the tube-cup l2 is made sufficiently high to form a 4separate pipeextension I4 to :be

used with tubes of varying length. The pipe extension I4 may be connected to the body part 22 by means of a screw 23 or in any other convenient manner. Pipe extension ld is adjustable up and down so that this type of tube-cup may be used for a number of varying lengths of the tube but, of course, of the same diameter. Attention is called to the fact that the high parts l5 of the end of the tube-cup are cut awayon a smaller arcuate radius than those of the preceding modification. The low parts I6 are cut away more sharply and each in a single plane instead of in a curve as in the preceding modification.

As seen in Fig. l gear drives gear 2d which in turn drives shaft 25 so that shaft 25 makes two revolutions for each index or movement of dial IE). At its opposite end shaft 25 carries one of a pair of gears 25 which drive stub shaft 27 having a closed cam 28 mounted thereon. Cam 2B contains cam grooves 29 and 3d in it. Roller 3l is mounted in cam groove 39 and actuates rod 32 which is pivotally connected to lever 33. Lever 33 is mounted at an angle to shaft 25 as can be seen from Fig. i. Lever 33 carries at its opposite end a rod 34 upon which preformer 35 is mounted. As will be seen inFigs. 6, 7, 9 and l0 preforrner 35 consists of central preformer blades or spreaders 36 which are adjustably secured to the preformer 35 by means of bolts 3l having nuts 38 thereon and cooperating with slots 39. Prefornier 35 also carries the outside centralizing and equalizing wings IES. In producing this type of tube closure it is found necessary to use a preformer for all sizes cf tubes in order to get the uniform shape on all tubes. In making the old type of tube closure only tubes over 11/8 inches in diameter require any preforming. The central preforming blades S5 were generally satisfactory. In producing this new type of fold or closure however it was found to be a decided advantage to have the centralizing blades 35 as well as the equalizing wings iii on the outside of the tube when the spreading is begun by the central blades 35 in cooperation with the outside wings l. The outside wings El serve to center the tube A properly on the central blades Sii. The shape of the tube A before preforming is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l0.

Referring to Figs. l and 2 there are shown mounted on shaft 25 cams il which drive levers 42 which in turn drive the closing and folding jaws 43. In producing this blunt or straight body type of tube closure I found that there is less room at the top or end of the tube above the contents for the air, which is trapped within the tube as the folds are made therein. The folds, of course, are started from the top or end of the tube, as seen in Figs. 3, Ll and 5, and the tube is lifted for each fold, a new portion being compressed each time a fold is made. When the folds are made very slowly the air has a chance to escape as the walls are compressed but in high speed machinery the time does not permit the air to escape through the very minute space between the walls of the tube. The closing and folding jaws 3 are therefore relieved slightly at 4-i at their centers so as to prevent the compressing of the air within the tubes. This conipressed air has a tendency to open the finished fold after the pressure of the jaws 13 is removed.

As seen in Figs. l and 2 there is also provided on shaft 25 a cam 45 which drives linked levers 46 which in turn drive the crimping jaws el. The crimping jaws fil carry thereon inserts 8 which have indentations or teeth thereon of the type to produce the type of closure called for in my co-pending application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 641, 533, filed Nov. 7, 1932. The inserts 68 carry projections 49 thereon which have at their extremities iiat or blunt portions 50. The iiat or blunt portions may be above the horizontal centers of the inserts as indicated by the axial line |.r As will be seen from Fig. 2 the teeth 19 mesh or interlock so that indentations are formed in the opposite sides of the fold or closure at the end of the tube.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 2 cam groove 29 has al roller (not numbered) cooperating with it. This roller is mounted on the end of rod 52, and through rod 52, actuates linkage 53 thereby raising and lowering the ejector or tube lift-out I9.

I do not intend to be limited in the practice of my invention save as the scope of the prior art and of the attached claims may require.

I claim:

1. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, a preiormer having sloping edges forming a downwardly extending point arranged to enter and stretch the open end of a collapsible tube into elongated shape in cross-section, a tube-cup having an annular portion closely surrounding the walls of said tube adjacent the open end of said tube, said annular portion having high parts underlying the sloping edges of said preformer and low parts intermediate said high parts, and means for reciprocating said preformer and said tube-cup relative to each other so as to engage said collapsible tube between said preformer and said tube-cup.

2. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, a preformer arranged to stretch the open end of a collapsible tube into elongated shape in crosssection, wings rigidly attached to said preformer and diverging therefrom at an angle thereto, a tube-cup having a portion closely surrounding the walls of said tube adjacent the open end of said tube and opposite said preformer, said portion having high parts and low parts intermediate said high parts, and means for reciprocating said preformer and said tube-cup relative to each other so as to engage said collapsible tube between said preformer and said tube-cup.

3. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, a preformer having sloping edges arranged in a downwardly extending, generally pointed shape so as to enter and stretch the open end of a collapsible tube into elongated shape in cross-section, a tubecup having a portion closely surrounding the walls of said tube adjacent the open end of said tube, said portion having high parts underlying said sloping edges of said preformer and low parts intermediate said high parts, said tube-cup having in one of its sides an opening exposing the collapsible tube in said tube-cup, and a support for said preformer holding said preformer for reciprocating movement relative to said tube-cup so as to engage said collapsible tube between said preformer and said tube-cup.

4. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, a preformer having sloping edges forming a downwardly extending, generally pointed outline, a tube-cup having a portion closely surrounding the walls of said collapsible tube adjacent the open end of said collapsible tube, said portion having high parts thereon underlying said sloping edges and low parts intermediate said high parts, a conveyor for moving said tube-cup and having an opening therein, a key on said tube-cup co-operating with said opening in said conveyor to position said tube-cup in said conveyor, and a mounting arranged to impart relative reciprocating movement to said preformer and said tubecup so as to engage said collapsible tube therebetween.

5. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, a tube-cup comprising, in combination, a hollow substantially cylindrical body having an opening therethrough extending along its axis from end to end, a shoulder on the inner wall of said body adjacent one end thereof forming a support for a collapsible tube carried within said body, and an annular portion formed on the opposite end of said body from said shoulder and closely surrounding the walls of said tube and close to the open end of said tube, said annular portion having imperforate high parts and low parts intermediate said high parts, said low parts and said high parts forming an edge which is smoothly curved in outline.

6. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, means for conveying a plurality of tube-cups carrying collapsible tubes to be closed and for supporting said tube-cups vertically and against horizontal movement relative to said means, and a tube-cup comprising in combination, a hollow substantially cylindrical body having an opening therethrough extending along its axis from end to end, a shoulder on the inner wall of said body adjacent one end thereof forming a support for a collapsible tube carried within said body, and an annular portion formed on the opposite end of said body from said shoulder and closely surrounding the walls of said tube and close to the open end of said tube, said annular portion having high parts and low parts intermediate said high parts, said high parts and said low parts forming an edge which is smoothly curved in outline.

7. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, a tube-cup comprising, in combination, a hollow body having an openingtherethrough extending along its axis from end to end so as to receive a collapsible tube within said body, and having at one end thereof an annular portion formed on the end of said body and closely surrounding the walls of said tube and close to the open end of said tube, said annular portion being formed into high parts and low parts intermediate said high parts, said low parts and said high parts forming an edge which is smoothly curved in outline, and said low parts being beveled outwardly from the axis of said body and toward the opposite end of said body.

8. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, a tube-cup comprising, in combination, a hollow body having an opening extending axially therethrough from end to end and adapted to receive a collapsible tube within said body, said body having at one end thereof an annular portion adjacent to the walls of said tube and to the open end of said tube, said annular portion being formed into high parts and low parts intermediate said high parts, said high parts and said low parts forming an end of said body which is smoothly curved in outline, and said body having an opening through the wall thereof intermediate the ends of said body, said opening exposing said tube for inspection and alignment relative to said high parts and said low parts.

9. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, a tube-cup comprising, in combination, a hollow body having an opening extending axially therethrough from end to end, a hollow pipe extension mounted in said body, said body and said pipe extension being adapted to receive a collapsible tube Within them, means for detachably and adjustably securing said body and said pipe extension together, and said pipe extensionV having at its nular portion being formed into high parts andY low parts intermediate said high parts, said high parts and said low parts forming an end of said pipe extension Which is smoothly curved in outline.

10. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, a tube-cup comprising, in combination, a body having a hollow opening extending therethrough from end to end, a flange extending from the outer surface of said body and adapted to form a support for said tube-cup, a hollow pipe extension mounted in said body, said body and said tube-cup being adapted to receive a collapsible tube Within them, means for detachably and adjustably securing said body and said pipe together, said pipe having at its end spaced from said body an annular portion closely surrounding and adjacent to the Walls of said tube and adjacent to the end of said tube, said annular portion being formed into high parts and low parts intermediate said high parts, said high parts and said low parts forming an end of said pipe extension which is smoothly curved in outline.

11. In a collapsible-tube-closing machine, the combination comprising, a conveyor for transporting a plurality of collapsible tubes to be closed, a preformer mounted above the path or travel of said tubes, means for causing relative 'reciprocating movement between each of said tubes. in succession and said preformer so that said preformer enters the open end of each of said tubes in succession, and diverging Wings rigidly secured to said preformer for guiding the open ends of said tubes onto said preformer.

12. In an automatic tube-closing machine, the combination-comprising, means for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, a reciprocating member mounted above the line of travel of the open ends of said tubes, a pair of blades fixedly and rigidly mounted on said reciprocating member .and depending therefrom so as to form a triangle in side elevation, means for providing horizontal adjustment of said blades on said member relative to each other, means for causing reciprocating movement of said member and of said blades relative to each of said tubes insuccession so that said blades enter the open ends of said tubes and spread said open/ends from circular into prolate transverse cross-section, and a pair of Wings xedly and rigidly secured to said member and to said blades and diverging therefrom in the direction of said tubes so as to guide the open end of each of said tubes in succession onto said blades. l

13. In an automatic tube-closing machine, the combination comprising, means for conveying a plurality of tubes having open ends, a pair of blades substantially triangular in outline mounted above the path of travel of the open ends of said tubes and forming a triangle in side elevation, said blades having horizontal elongated slots formed therein providing for horizontal adjustment of said blades relative to each other, guides xedly and rigidly connected to said blades and diverging therefrom inthe direction of the open ends of said' tubes, a cam for reciprocating said blades and said guides so that said guides locate the open end of each of said tubes in succession so that said blades enter the open end of each of said tubes in succession and spread said open ends from circular into prolate transverse crosssection, and a cam for causing reciprocating movement of said blades and said guides.

14. In a tube-closing machine, means for conveying a tube to be closed, and a tube-cup mounted on said means and supportedV against horizontal movement relative to said means, one Yend of said tube-cup having high parts thereon aligned in the direction of movement of said means and low parts between said high parts, said high parts and said low parts being for the purpose of holding a tube in said tube-cup adjacent an open end of the tubeduring a portion of the tube-closing operation.

15. In a tube-closing machine, the combination of, a conveyor for collapsible tubes which conveyor has a slot therein, a tube cup for supporting the collapsible tubes, and a key on said tube cup having a sloping face for locating said tube cup in said slot and a flat face for holding said tube cup in said slot so that said tube cup is free to be lifted vertically but is held againstl rotary movement about its axis or horizontal movement and is supported on and moved by said conveyor.

CHARLES J. WESTIN. 

